Trek to Mt. Everest Basecamp
Mt. EVEREST BASECAMP TREK 2014
The view from Kala Patar
Dates: April 6th to April 27th, 2014
Costs Per Person: $2,500.00
Trek Description:
Our team of trekkers and climbers will meet in Kathmandu, arriving no later than April 6th. High Adventure Expeditions will be leading a team of climbers on an attempt to summit Mt Everest, the Basecamp trekkers and Everest climbers will be one team as we walk to basecamp together. After a couple of days at basecamp the trekkers will wish the climbers “good luck” as they head back down the valleys to Kathmandu and home.
Kathmandu is a bustling, energetic and exciting city with many amazing sights to see and things to do. But most of all, we love to gear-shop! Kathmandu has a good selection of local and international mountaineering equipment and clothing in its stores. We always find something that we can't do without. After spending a day doing last minute shopping and ensuring bags are properly packed, we start our journey to basecamp.
Basecamp on the south side of Everest is reached over an 8 – 10 day leisurely trek through villages of the Sherpas. We’ll begin by take a 40 minute flight to Lukla. In pre-expedition times people had to walk from Kathmandu, since there were no motorable roads or airports beyond the capital. All you will be carrying during the day is a small daypack probably containing only a warm jacket, some water, snacks and a camera. The rest of your equipment will go ahead of you on the back of a porter and will be waiting for you at the lodge upon your arrival.
On the way we will stop at Pangboche Village , which is one of the oldest villages of the Khumbu valley. Next morning we will visit the monastery, which also houses the Yeti’s Skull, and request a special blessing from the highly regarded local lama (monk), Lama Geshi, who normally does puja for all expeditions above this ancient village, to solicit the local deities’ blessing for a peaceful and safe expedition for all members. We accept good wishes in the form of a khata (a scarf with the eight lucky signs, displayed by Buddhist during all religious and farewell ceremonies) from the lama and continue our walk up to Basecamp.
There are a couple of villages that we will stop at for two nights, Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. Here we spend the extra day acclimatizing and allowing our bodies to get used to the thin air. We will be a small group and it will be easy for us to adjust our schedule depending on how people are feeling. If we want to take an extra rest day or two, we have that flexibility in our schedule.
The highest lodge is in the village of Gorak Shep. From here it is a short hike to Everest Basecamp. When we arrive at basecamp everybody will be shown their tent and given time to move in and get comfortable before our cooks make us a wonderful meal.
We will spend two nights at basecamp enjoying the sights and sounds of the Khumbu Icefall and exploring. Then it will be time to say farewell to the climbers and start heading for home, but before we can descend to Gorak Shep we will climb to the top of a nearby hill called Kala Patar to get the most famous view of Mt Everest and the mountains of the Khumbu.
SERVICES INCLUDED
1. All related Airport / hotel / airport transfers
2. Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on B&B basis (4 star Category)
3. Kathmandu / Lukla / Kathmandu airfare
4. Full board service Kathmandu to Kathmandu
5. All equipment transportation (Lukla / BC / Lukla) by yaks or porters and all their expenses
6. BC Nepali Cooks with equipment, wages, insurance
7. Gas heaters in the dining tent & solar panel power available at BC
8. Satellite telephone (per minute rates apply)
EXPENSES NOT INCLUDED:
1. Travel insurance (Should include helicopter evacuation as well)
2. International air tickets
3. Nepal entry visas ($30)
4. Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu
5. Personal trekking equipment
6. Expenses of personal natures
7. Tips for Nepali staff/porters
